Music and workouts go very well together. A good song can take your workout from mediocre to pure intensity. In this post I am going to show you the 20 best workout songs of all time.

The 20 best workout songs of all time

20. Bittersweet Symphony - Verve
A great classical backing with some meaningful lyrics. This is one of my favorite songs to workout to, especially after the intro when they drop the beat. Fantastic!

19. Welcome to the Jungle - Guns N’ Roses
My mate insisted this goes on the list. Heavy guitar and some loud singing. Perfect for a heavy weights workout.

18. We Run This - Missy Elliott
One of my favorite beats redone by Missy. This lyrics aren’t really what I’m about but the melody and beat are truly infectious.

17. Survivor - Destiny’s Child
This was one of Destiny’s Child’s biggest songs going number one and selling millions of copies. It is a great upbeat song for the gym especially for those cardio workouts where you really don’t feel like doing it.

16. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
A classic Nirvana song with loud guitar and an excellent melody. If you want to listen to a song that is good for wind sprints then this is the one for you. The chorus really lifts you up.

15. Thunderstruck - AC/DC
A classic Australian tune. Can you say “fast guitar”? This song always gets me going and is a great song for rock lovers out there.

14. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
A classic MJ song always does the trick. Billie Jean has one of the best bass beats of all time - it is perfect to time your fast run to on the treadmill.

13. Fighter - Christina Aguilera
I am not normally one to put Christina on my iPod but this song is an exception. It is brilliant. It is angry but directed in a good way and it makes for a really good workout song. Very hard guitar playing in it. Take a look at the film clip and give it a chance if you normally would skip over this one.

12. Winter (Four Seasons) - Vivaldi
What! Classic! I can hear you all now. This is one of my favorite classical pieces of all time and it is perfect for a workout. Wait for the big final and you will see why. I simply love it. See, Real Muscle Online is about culture as well!

11. California Love - Tupac
One of the big hits of the 90’s. It still plays on my iPod thanks to a noisy beat and a great flow. Tupac… just brilliant.

The Top 10 Workout Songs of All Time

Now we are getting into the big guns. Take a look at what I think are the top 10 workout songs of all time. It is so tough to narrow it down but I think these 10 are worthy of their spots.

10. Come With Me - Puff Daddy
One of the all time most inspiring song. The orchestral backings, the loud lyrics and a fantastic melody make this song a must have for your workouts. I listen to it almost every time I hit the treadmill and it never ceases to make me run fast! From the movie Godzilla - check it out:

9. Are You Gonna Go My Way - Lenny Kravitz
Perhaps the most expensive film clip lighting in music history. This Kravitz classic is an excellent choice for the gym or the running track. Play it nice and loud!

8. Try Again - Aaliyah
I remember when this song came out and everybody loved it. It had a little bit of a electronic feel to it instead of a big base bounce but it really does the trick. This song has one of the best flows of any R & B song around and has a good message in the chorus. Take a look.

7. Jesus Walks - Kanye West
Jesus Walks is another Kanye beat that will really get you moving. I find this song to be especially good when you are out on the street in the early morning doing road work by yourself in the dark.

6. Get By - Talib Kweli
I hate not putting this song further up the list but I have so many good ones up there. This is Kweli’s best song and a real pumping beat. I saw him perform this live in Melbourne a few years ago when James Brown was performing and it was on of the hands down best performances I have ever seen. I have never seen so many people jumping! The good thing about Kweli is that he is a true conscience rapper - all good.

5. Got Yourself a Gun - Nas
I challenge anyone to listen to the beat and lyrics of this song and not bounce your head. Nas is my favorite artist of all time and this is his best song for the treadmill. It is fast, deliberately intricate and very inspiring. Here is the film clip. Try and stop your head for bouncing!

4. It Really Don’t Matter to Me - Confidential
If you need to pick up your workout and you like a good rap beat and some hard lyrics then this is for you. This was the main song from Jet Li’s big Hollywood movie; Romeo Must Die. The chorus in this song is fantastic and the dirty electric guitar is perfect. In high school my buddy and I cranked this song while we lifted weights and never got sick of it. Check out the film clip with some of Jet’s moves.

3. Lose Yourself - Eminem
I am not a big Eminem fan but this song is a masterpiece. He has not and probably will not ever make a song better than this one. Every time I hear it I get tingles up my spine. This song is all about intensity. You can hear it in his voice. Check it out.

2. Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
Cliche? Yes. Out of date? No way! Eye of the Tiger continues to be one of the most inspiring songs on the market. I don’t care what anyone says about it, it will get you fired up anywhere and anytime. The reason this song is so amazing is because it has the emotion and memories of the Rocky movies attached. Listen to the song and you become just like Rocky fighting Mr. T.

1. Remember the Name - Fort Minor
This is probably my favorite workout song of all time and today it makes it to the top position on our list. This song is one of the rare workout songs where beat and lyrics are equally as inspiring. The bass, the melody and the motivational lyrics really make you push that 10% more. Check out the video clip.

I am very excited to inform you of our new segment here at RMO - Bodybuilding Q and A with Ryan Rapenport. Head over to the announcement page for all the details on what you can ask Ryan and how to ask him.

Check it out here.

I love to run. I love jogging and I love sprinting. However, sometimes it is good to get some new running ideas. In this article I want to take a look at my top running tips to help you get the most out of your running.

Feel free to leave a comment at the end and share your own favorite running tips.

27 of My Favorite Running Tips

1. Warm up
Over the years I have paid the price several times for running out the door without warming up. It is especially important to warm up if you are doing sprinting. A few stretches, light jogs and sprints and some squats is a good way to warm up.

2. Start slow
If you are new to running you should start out slow and build up over time. Don’t try to go too fast in a short space of time because your muscles will not be flexible enough. Take your time.

3. Always push harder
Every time you go for a run you should increase the work you do. This could be the length of time you run for, the distance you travel or the intensity of your sprint. Progression is important and it is vital to do it every time you workout so that you don’t get stuck in a rut.

4. Get good shoes
A good pair of running shoes will become like your best friend if you spend a lot of time running. Bad shoes can damage your feet, ankles and back and leave you feeling pretty sorry for yourself. Here are my favorite running shoes.

Good shoes should support your ankles so that you don’t roll them, have a tough heel as well as tight balance on the sides. Cross trainers are usually the best shoe for people who read this blog.

5. Run outside
Sometimes we get tempted to just run on the treadmill at the gym. However, the benefits of being outside in the sun are huge. Vitamin D that comes from being out in the sun can help fight depression and makes the run all the more enjoyable.

6. Run where the air is clean
When you run you start to breathe deeply. Your lungs expand and contract and you take in a lot of air. It is important that the air is clean. If it is full of pollution you will be adding toxins to your body that you really do not need. Try to go to a park, beach or somewhere where the air is a bit cleaner.

7. Run hills
A hill sprint is one of the best ways to lose fat and boost your fitness levels. It is harder than almost any other exercise and will really push your personal drive. I try to run a hill (a big one!) at least once a fortnight to make sure I am not getting too soft. Check out this other article on hill sprints.

8. Breathe properly
Breathing when you exercise is important. When we lift weights we all know how to breathe and we take it seriously. However, how many of you pay attention to how you breathe when you run?

If you aren’t it is time you started. Good breathing can make your run more enjoyable and allow you to go harder and further. When running you should try to breathe through your nose. This warms the air up and allows you to take in oxygen a lot deeper.

9. Combat a stitch with breathing
Similar to number eight it is important to know how to combat a stitch with your breath. If you get a stitch simply breathe in and out on the corresponding step. For example, if you have a stitch down your right side you should breathe in when your right foot hits the ground and then breathe out again when your right foot hits the ground. This method was taught to me by my soccer coach in high school and has been a very valuable tool.

10. Get good music
Sometimes it is nice to run with a bit of motivating music. You can stick some upbeat tunes on your iPod and be transformed into a running machine. Some of my favorite running tunes include:

• Nas
• Vivaldi (try a song called Winter it will blow you away)
• NERD
• John Mayer
• Old school rap (Public Enemy, Tupac, DITC)

11. Don’t eat too close to a run
If you have a meal right before you go for a run you are bound to run into some problems. This is when you get a stitch or stomach ache and have to cut your run short.

12. Eat about 45 minutes before
It is a good idea to have a little energy snack about 45 minutes before your run. Something with moderate carbs and some protein is the best bet. I like to have a protein shake at about 4pm and then go for my run about half past four. A light snack makes all the difference.

13. Stop and stretch
I know a lot of professionals will tell you that stretching during a run is not a good idea. However, I find if I stop and have a stretch when my muscles feel tight I can avoid the cramping feeling that sometimes creeps up. Feel free to stop and stretch out those tight muscles so you can run a little more comfortably.

14. Run with a friend
Running with a friend is a great way to get fit as well as catch up with someone that you normally wouldn’t have a lot of time to see. The other thing about working out with a friend is that you end up pushing each other and your fitness and endurance levels will grow faster than before.

15. Run in context
Sometimes running can be a bit boring. If you have been running for a few years you will no doubt be a little tired of the same old track. This is why running in the context of a new sport is a great idea. Indoor soccer makes you run like a mad man. Squash, football, tennis… all of these things involve running but they have another goal above running. This can make it a little more interesting and often times a lot more intense.

16. Stop if there is pain
If you feel any pain while you are running you should stop straight away. If you push on a run through your injuries or health problems you will end up regretting it.

Here is a story for you. In high school I was playing state soccer and I was training really hard to make sure my presence on the team was beneficial. It was all going well. Game day came and in the first ten minutes I got a knee in my thigh and a pretty serious corked injury. I pushed on because I wanted to stay on the field and within five minutes my leg had swollen beyond belief and I was out for a month. The doctor said if I had come off and iced it right away it might have only been a few days.

17. Hydrate before and after
Quite often I see people at the office go for a run and then head back to work without re-hydrating themselves. This leads to tiredness, headaches and slow recovery rate. Make sure you are drinking a good amount of water before and wafter your run.

18. Get up early
The best time for a run is in the early morning. There is something extremely satisfying about running before the sun gets up; hoodie, track pants and the cold air flowing through your lungs. It is a wonderful way to start your day and a very good life habit to develop. Take a look at this article on how to get up early for exercise.

19. Go sand and shallow water running
About two hours from my house there is a beach called Port Willunga. This beach is the most pristine I have ever seen. You can swim out to the depth of your head and still see the ocean floor because the water is so clean. You can open your eyes under water and your eyes don’t sting because there is no pollution and low salt. And the sand is white and fluffy.

This summer I discovered the benefits of sand and shallow water running at the beach. The idea is to do some sprints in the sand for a few minutes and then go out into about knee-height water and do some more sprints. The sand running is hard on your calf muscles and the shallow water running forces you to lift your knees out of the water making your abs and back do a lot more work. It really is a great change to the normal run!

20. Carry a weighted backpack
I have done this once or twice in my life but I do not endorse it because I do not know whether it is good for your back or not. However, my step dad introduced me to a man from New Zealand who used to go for a run every morning with a 40 kilogram backpack on his back. This guy was built like a brick sh$t house and was strong as an Ox. I asked him what his weights routine was and he looked at me funny and said: “Nope… I just run with a backpack.”

21. Check your posture
When I was about 18 my father pointed out to me that I ran like a hunchback (he is a direct man!). I slowly became aware of my own posture and figured out that it was because of my boxing training - I liked to run in a boxing style. I decided to correct this posture by lifting my chest up and keeping my elbows square at my side. To my surprise this simple change allowed me to take in more air, reduce the amount of fatigue in my back and even run faster. It proved to me once again that technique is the single most important thing in exercise.

22. Don’t run too much
In high school I ran for no less than four hours a day, everyday. I was playing serious soccer and I ran at training as well as before and after school in order to get ahead. I also trained kung fu and boxing which also involved a lot of roadwork. After about a year my knees were sore as hell and I now have injuries that I am quite sure came from too much exercise. Make sure you are not running too much - it can be quite a high impact exercise.

23. Run in the rain

photo: moodeous

One of the most refreshing things you can do is go for a run when it is raining. The other day I was running around my local inner city river and it began to rain. At first I struggled to find shelter sprinting around like a loony. In the end I realized that I was as wet as I was going to get and just kept going. It was a very relaxing and revitalizing experience which I now seek to do again!

24. Check your running surface
Some people have a lot of problems when they run on the hard road. It is often better to run in a park where there is soft dirt or grass. However, the most injuries come from uneven surfaces where there is rocks, tree roots and twigs under your feet. Try to find a smooth and even place to do your running.

25. Explore your local area
Running is a great way to see more of your local area. I love to go running in the local reserve and try to take a different trail every time I go. This allows me to see new things - animals, houses, plants, trees, waterfalls and so on. It is a great way to de-stress.

26. Step up the intensity for fat loss
Quite often trainers tell you that the best way to lose fat is to run for an hour at a low intensity every single day. I don’t like it. I have experienced much better results from high intensity running like sprinting and hill runs. Take a look at this post on losing fat fast.

27. Learn to enjoy running
Sometimes running becomes a task. Some people think running is like an enemy that they overcome. This is a big mistake. It is much better to think of running as a friend. Sure it is hard sometimes but it also does you a lot of good. Try to think of the positive elements instead of focusing on the bad. This will make running a much more enjoyable experience.

Conclusion on my running tips

These are some of my favorite tips for one of my favorite exercises. I would love to hear your own running tips so drop us a comment and let us know.